KC Venugopal Lambasts Union Budget 2026 as Disappointing for Common Man and Kerala
In a scathing critique, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal has likened the Union Budget 2026-27 to "a mountain giving birth to a mouse", expressing deep disappointment over its lack of substantial announcements despite nationwide promotion. Speaking from Thiruvananthapuram, Venugopal emphasized that the budget offered nothing for the common man and failed to address critical issues plaguing the nation.
No Relief for Unemployment and Farmers
Venugopal pointed out that apart from a few token mentions for the youth, the budget presented no concrete plans or allocations to tackle the escalating unemployment crisis. He described it as utterly disappointing for farmers, as it ignored their long-standing demand to legalize the minimum support price (MSP). According to him, previous budget promises were merely repackaged with new designs, lacking any substantial measures to benefit the agricultural community.
Complete Neglect of Kerala in Key Sectors
The most disheartening aspect, Venugopal noted, was the budget's complete neglect of Kerala. He highlighted that despite the UPA government promising an AIIMS for Kerala back in 2013-14, and numerous AIIMS being announced nationwide since then, Kerala was conspicuously excluded from this budget. There were no specific plans for the state in vital sectors such as:
- Healthcare: No allocations for improving medical infrastructure.
- Tourism: Lack of initiatives to boost Kerala's tourism potential.
- Ayurveda: No support for traditional industries and ayurvedic practices.
- Traditional Industries: Ignored in budget proposals.
Venugopal also mentioned that Metroman E Sreedharan had high hopes for a high-speed rail corridor in Kerala and had even discussed it with Union ministers. However, despite seven locations across India being granted high-speed corridors, Kerala was not included, which he said reflects how the BJP government views the state.
Concerns Over Mineral Sand Mining Corridor
Venugopal raised serious concerns regarding the mineral sand special corridor proposed in the budget. He warned that favored corporates are now entering the mineral sector, and the right to mine Kerala's valuable mineral resources should be reserved for the public sector. He stressed that only when the details of the mineral sand mining corridor are revealed will it be clear if there are any hidden traps.
"It was essential to know if permission was being granted for sand mining by private sectors in a manner that could harm our ecosystem and cause concern for fishermen," he added, highlighting potential environmental and livelihood risks.
Political Blame Game and Call for Action
Responding to the BJP state president's claim that the Kerala government cannot implement even existing projects, Venugopal questioned whether new projects are being granted based on successful implementation in BJP-ruled states like Odisha. He argued that the BJP had no authority to blame any government for not implementing their political agendas and urged the BJP president to demand that the central government rectify the neglect evident in the budget.
Venugopal concluded by asserting that Kerala's voice against this neglect will be strongly raised in Parliament, ensuring that the state's grievances are heard at the highest levels of governance.
